Chapter 22

Gemma felt the pinch of the handcuffs. She had come here to see Nero, just check in on him but when she was told that she couldn't see him something inside her flipped and she lost control.

Her family had been through enough and Nero was innocent but here he was being treated as a guilty man and it angered her.

Nero was a great man. Nero had come into her life at a time when Gemma was at her lowest. Clay had beat on her and after that she had chosen her son. She supported him in his plan on setting Clay up which was how she found herself in Nero's in arms.

He had been so kind, so loving, that Gemma fell for him instantly. As an Old Lady Gemma always knew when to protect the club. That was why she had kept Weston's attack from them for so long but after what had happened on her last visit with Clay she couldn't hide that shit from Nero and he had been the man she knew him to be. He held her, he made her feel safe as she cried. But the joy was short lived when they arrived at the clubhouse. The explosion, Nicole's pregnancy, Nero's arrest and then being told that she couldn't see him. Gemma lost it and that was how she found herself in handcuffs.

Thankfully Candy had stepped in. Although she insisted in handcuffing her she over ruled everyone to allow her to see Nero. Gemma was grateful for this.

"You ok Mama?"

"I guess. Haven't slept." Nero wasn't surprised after what had happened.

"How's Nicole?"

"She's ok. Baby's ok. Can't believe that girl kept that secret."

"She probably had her reasons."

"Yeah."

"Last night was..."

"I know." Last night was new for Gemma, she had never seen a retaliation like. They could have wiped them all out. Club hadn't dealt with this threat before and she was scared. "I don't want you to go away baby."

"The state may have other ideas about that." Nero joked.

"These charges are bullshit. And they're going to find a way to prove that."

"I hope so." Nero shifted closer to her. He loved this woman but he knew when she said 'they' she was referring to the club. He loved the woman in front , hell he loved her family but after everything, everything she had confessed, the explosion Nero couldn't handle this relationship anymore. He couldn't handle the club. If he got out of here he and Jax were having a conversation.

Nicole sat on the curb of Gemma's house her eyes closed as she lent her head back and enjoyed the warmth of the sun. She still felt the touch of his lips on hers. He wasn't pissed, she hadn't lost him.

But as she took that moment her phone buzzed. Sighing she pulled her cell from her back pocket. She was surprised by he name flashing on her phone, but as she opened the message Nicole couldn't help but roll her eyes. Getting to her feet Nicole went to head back inside but stopped as Jax and everyone exited the house.

As they walked closer Nicole's eyes followed Rat as he went over to the van and pulled out a cooler. They all started depositing their guns inside and that was when her eyes met Happy's, he started to walk over to her as he did up his cut.

"Heading up North, meeting with all the other Charter Presidents. Probably be a late one." Nicole nodded knowing that meant that their talk would not be happening later. But they needed to do this.

"What did the Kings have to say?" Nicole couldn't stop herself from asking the question. It looked like they were all leaving for quite a while which meant there was no one around. That kind of made her feel a little unsafe.

"Declaring peace apparently."

"You don't believe it?" Happy shrugged because he wasn't sure he could trust anything they said given they tried to wipe them all out last night. Which is why they all came to the agreement that they would hang on to Conner for a few days. Tacoma were going to stay put at the warehouse to watch over them. He watched as Nicole eyes dropped to the floor. He knew where her head was at, same place his was. He hooked his finger under her chin making her look back at him.

"You've got Lorca's number you need anything while im gone you call him alright." Nicole nodded.

"You heard from Gemma?" Both of their attention went to Jax who was now at the side of them.

"Not exactly." She looked down at her phone. "Candy messaged they've detained her, apparently she pushed an officer across a desk."

"Shit." Jax ran his hand over his face.

"They're not going to arrest her just keeping her till she calms down."

Jax couldn't believe it of course his mother got herself banged up. Timing couldn't be worse though as he need her to deliver a message. He looked between Happy and Nicole, he knew this request wasn't go to land well but the club needed this. His eye caught Chibs he motioned for him to join which he did.

When Chibs joined them and he locked eyes with Jax Happy knew where this conversation was going.

"No." Happy spoke before any question was asked. Nicole frowned at Happy. She was clearly missing something here.

"We need him to get the message." Jax spoke to Happy who just shook his head. Nicole was getting more confused.

"Who needs what message?" Nicole asked

"Clay." Nicole's looked to Chibs before looking to Happy who looked pissed. It all made sense now.

They were clearly heading out all day, Gemma was currently locked up and the only person that Clay had on the visiting list was her. This was why Happy was saying no. But that was also why Jax was pushing for her to do this. When she had first received the visiting order she didn't want to see him which is why she let Happy go to Jax and lay down the law about her not going but if Jax was going to ask her to do this then it was clearly important.

"What do you need?" Nicole asked looking to Jax. He spared a glance to Happy before looking back to her.

"Just a simple message. 'Move forward' he will know what that means." Nicole looked to Happy

"We need dis brutha." Chibs reinforced.

All of them could tell that Happy wasn't exactly pleased with this outcome. Nicole looked at both Jax and Chibs silently asking for them to leave and they got the message which meant that Happy and Nicole were alone. Nicole closed the gap between them her hand coming to rest on his chest.

"I can do this Hap." He responded with a shake of his head. "Look all of you are doing what you can to protect your family I want to help and if getting this message to Clay can do that then I want to do it."

Happy looked down at his girl. She looked tired, pale even though she had tried to hide it with makeup. He didn't like the thought of her being anywhere near Clay, he was dangerous he knew that Clay wouldn't physically hurt her but this was Clay he was manipulative and although she wanted to do this he didn't want her anywhere near it. But he also he knew that the Tellers were stubborn and she probably wouldn't let this drop.

"Fine, but..."

"I just deliver the message. In and out. I promise."

"I don't like it."

"I know." Happy looked over to Jax and Chibs who although they had both walked away had been watching them the whole time. He cocked his head and Jax started heading over to them.

"Lorca takes her and brings her back." Happy spoke as Jax reached them.

"Ok." Jax nodded before looking to Nicole. "We're heading out now text me when you've spoken to Clay." Nicole nodded. Jax lent down and kissed her cheek his hand resting on her arm. "Thank you."

Nicole gave him a smile. Jax looked back at Happy "We need to head out."

"Alright."

And just like that the two were alone again.

"When will you be back?"

"Don't know how long this will take." Nicole stepped closer to Happy if possible. There bodies practically touching.

"Can we still talk tonight?" With the sound of the Harleys kicking into action Happy's attention went to his brothers.

"I've gotta go."

"Ok." And that was it, he walked away from her.

As Nicole watched them ride off, Unser's truck pulled up. Nicole forced a smile onto her face and started to walk over to him.

"Hey." She spoke as he got out.

"Hey sweetheart." Unser walked around the truck to come and stand in front of Nicole. "Quite a secret you've been keeping."

"Isn't that what us Teller women do best." Nicole remarked but the weight behind that comment was heavy. And as both of them turned to see Tara coming out of the house that comment felt more realistic than ever.

Tara had still not told him everything but he was sure after last night whatever it was Tara was planning would now be kicked into high gear.

"You here for Tara?" Nicole asked looking back for Unser.

"Yeah im taking her to hospital, think she's catching up with Lowen." Nicole nodded. "You ok sweetheart, the baby?"

"Yeah we're all good." Nicole smiled as her hand rested on her stomach. Both of their attention went to Abel who ran over to Unser screaming hello's before jumping into Unsers arms. "Hey T." Nicole spoke as she joined them. "Unser said your going to meet with Lowen, how is the case going?"

"Not great."

"I'm really sorry to hear that." Tara just shrugged.

"Are you and the baby ok?"

"We're fine."

"Good." Tara looked to Unser. "We should probably go."

Nicole stepped back and watched Tara, Unser and the boys drive off, her hands wrapping around herself. Nicole took a deep breath. She needed to get ready for Clay.

Wendy rushed through the doors to St Thomas. Tara wasn't answering her phone and she knew that she couldn't call Gemma although she had been tempted. She had tried listening to the news, they weren't listing any casualties but that didn't mean there wasn't any. She knew that Tara was practically taking daily meetings with Lowen and Margaret at the Hospital so that she could work on her plan of esacpe, so Wendy took a chance and hoped she would find Tara.

And it paid off as she walked down the hall to the daycare centre she saw Tara with Unser. She thought about holding back but the fear of Abel being hurt outweighed that.

"I heard about the explosion..."

"The boys are fine." Tara quickly answered clearly seeing the worry Wendy was feeling. "I'm sorry I didn't call you."

"What happened?"

"What do you think?"

"Was anyone else hurt, Nicole, Gemma?"

"They're fine." Tara looked to Unser before looking back at Wendy. "You should reach out to Gemma, build the trust."

Wendy looked to Unser, surprised that Tara was being so open.

"Ok."

"This is exactly why we need to stay on task. If I go away I need you to take those boys out of here, before something else blows up." Tara's hand came to rest upon on Unsers arm. "Wayne knows he's here to help us." Tara spoke looking at Unser, hoping that after her revelations to him this morning about her plans he understood why she was doing this. Unser just nodded. "Abel is in daycare Im sure he would love to see his friend Wendy."

"Ok. Thanks." Wendy left the two as rushed towards the daycare.

"You sure you know what you're doing here sweetheart? Taking the kids, divorcing Jax. You know that plan is going to come with a lot of blockers." Wayne knew trying to get those boys out of Charming, although it may be the right thing to do, was going to cause a bigger explosion that what they witnessed last night.

"I will not let my kids be raised in this life Wayne."

Nicole looked away from her reflection when she heard the knock on her door. She had asked Lorca to pick her up at her house, as much as she was grateful for Gemma bringing her clothes she could not go to see Clay in them. They exposed her bump and she wasn't ready for Clay to know she was pregnant, she wasn't sure if she ever would be.

Clay was manipulative and Nicole wasn't sure how but she knew that he would find a way to use it against her.

So she had come home and changed. She replaced the tight fitting top with an oversized white shirt, kept the leggings on but added her leather jacket and some ankle boots. Walking down the hall she entered the kitchen and quickly opened the door.

"Hey Lorc."

"Hey." She left the door open as she went back for her bag on the table but she looked over her shoulder to see that Lorca was still standing in the doorway.

"You can come in." Lorca nodded and cautiously walked inside.

"So this is where the killah's playin house"

"Playing house?" As Lorca looked to Nicole he knew he had kind of said the wrong thing. But instead of apologising he moved on.

"So you ready?"

"Uh..." Nicole looked through her bag. "Yeah I've got everything."

"Got the keys?" Nicole frowned. "To the truck?"

"You're going to drive us?"

"That's what Hap requested. If I could go in with you think Hap would have enforced that too."

Nicole wasn't surprised Happy really didn't want her doing this and if she was honest if she could have Lorca come in with her she would.

Nicole smiled and handed him the keys. They drove in silence until they finally pulled up outside the jail. Lorca wasn't sure if her silence we're nerves about going to see Clay or if his comment at the house had pissed her off.

"I've been asked to remind you that you don't have to do this." His comment caused Nicole to finally look at him.

"Hap ask you to say anything else?" She asked sternly.

"Look what I said back at the house I..."

"It's fine Lorca I know you didn't mean anything by it, right?"

"Look it's just a bit weird. Known Hap for a long time. None of us have ever seen him like this."

"And what's 'this'?"

"In love. That man cares for you a lot and part from his Mom and Aunt i've never seen that fall to anyone, part from you."

Nicole shifted in her seat. She knew Happy loved her but hearing Lorca's words made her feel worse for her reaction to Happy's question last night.

"Let's just get this over with."